Starting well the Lacemen looked confident and in control. With Honiton winning the first lineout against Newton Abbot, along with winning the first scrum against the head confidence was oozing. Johnny House planted the first points on the board as he ploughed through to cross under the sticks. Ross Oaten made short work of the kick to leave the visitors 7-0 up within the first 5 minutes. Honiton looked more than in control and appeared to be in charge all over the park and Connor Long soon contributed to the points tally as a maul found its way across the line. Ross added the extras to take the game 14-0. Honiton again were all over the park and Newton Abbot found it hard to gain any territory and threats of breaking through was quickly and efficently dispatched. Honiton growing in confidence choose to pick and go from the back of a 5m scrum and with Harry Wright carrying the ball it was dotted down, once the Newton Abbots defence were brushed aside to take the score 21-0.
Honiton could quite easily have fallen in to the trap of thinking they had won the game and with Newton Abbot taking a well delivered penalty shortly after the score was 21-3. Newton Abbot turned on the pressure and played well in Honitons 22 for the next five minutes or so and to cap it off they broke through to cross in the last minute of the half. The kick also found its target and the half was called 21-10.
Newton Abbot must have had a very clear messege to send out to the Lacemen and they came out from the starting blocks for the second half a different team. The Tun dug in and defended their line well as Newton Abbot launched attack after attack. It was disapointing but Honiton picked up a few injuries and once the restructured team finding their feet the game settled back down . Newton Abbot however took full advantage of the injury count and were allowed in to cross shortly after following some weak defence. With the score now 21-15 Newton Abbots heads were lifted and another disapointing try shortly. Taking the All Whites in to the lead for the first time in the match following the conversion 22-21. Honiton's sense of urgency was now very clear and as they slowed down their game, they again took control, working their way up the park to within striking distance Ben Willis was rewarded with his debut try as he stormed the line to secure Honitons 4 try bonus. With the score now 26-22 both teams knew a win was well and truelly on the cards and with a large home crowd Newton Abbot may have been mentally in a better place. The home side worked the fringes well and as gaps were found they crossed for the final time taking the game 27-26. A last ditch attempt to claw back the win from Ross with a long penalty kick after the ref declared final play, was disappointingly crushed when it fell inches short.
Honiton travel to Kingsbridge on the 18th April 3.00pm KO to play their last away match of the season.